Obama Signs Child Nutrition Bill. The Washington Post (12/14, Henderson) reports, that President Obama on Monday signed into law the child nutrition bill, “capping months of advocacy by the first lady as part of her efforts to reduce childhood obesity.” The legislation “will expand the number of children in school lunch programs by 115,000, increase the reimbursement rate to school districts for meals by six cents, and replace the junk food available outside the cafeteria, such as in vending machines, with more healthful options.”

The Los Angeles Times (12/14, Muskal) reports that “the bill reauthorizes the federal nutrition program, a $4.5-billion measure that expands free school meals for the needy.” First Lady Michelle Obama with regard to the bill, “We can agree that in the wealthiest nation on earth, all children should have the basic nutrition they need to learn and grow. … Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our children. Nothing.”

USA Today (12/14) reports that when he signed the new law at Harriet Tubman Elementary School in Washington, D.C., “President Obama paid joking tribute to its most prominent supporter: first lady Michelle Obama. ‘Not only am I very proud of the bill,’ the president said, ‘but had I not been able to get this passed, I would be sleeping on the couch.’”

CNN (12/14) also quotes the President as saying that “the bill is about ‘giving our kids the healthy futures they deserve. …

San Diego School Board Sets New Restrictions For College, Military Recruiters. The AP (12/1) reports that the San Diego, California, school board voted Tuesday “to rein in aggressive military and college recruiters.” The district’s new policy “allows recruiters to visit high school campuses twice each school year,” but restricts them to designated areas within schools. Also, “recruiters can pass out contact information but can’t collect a student’s contact information.”

The San Diego Union Tribune (12/2, Persinger) reports that the new policy aims to balance “post-graduation recruiting efforts across the San Diego Unified School District.” Leading up to the school board’s vote, much of the discussion among parents and students focused on “the presence of military recruiters on campus, some of whom have had – until now – unfettered access to students as they determine their post-high school plans.” But, “Board member John de Beck, who introduced the policy two weeks ago, said despite all the fuss on military recruiters, the policy was never meant to eliminate them from campuses.”

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In the Classroom
Mock Wedding Stresses Healthy Relationships.

Survey Indicates Improved Academics, Behavior For Students In Single-Gender Classrooms. WLTX-TV Columbia, SC (12/1, Harvin) reports that “a survey released by South Carolina’s Department of Education shows single-gender classes have amazing results in boys and girls confidence, motivation and participation.” Also, the majority of the nearly 7,000 students who participated in the survey “said the classes have improved their academic performance and classroom attitude,” with 79 percent reporting “increases in their classroom effort, and 83 percent” saying “they were more likely to finish high school.” Of the 1,120 parents surveyed, 94 percent “said their children were more likely to graduate from high school, and 85 percent of” 760 teachers surveyed said they “saw increases in effort with school work” in single-gender classrooms.

WACH-TV Columbia, SC (12/1, Stone) notes that despite the positive reviews, the number of schools offering single-gender classes in South Carolina has declined over the past two years as a result of budget cuts. “Two years ago 214 schools offered the classes, but that is down to 125 this year.”

The AP (11/30, Adcox) adds, however, that South Carolina “still leads the nation in public single-sex programs.” On Tuesday, outgoing state Superintendent Jim Rex “cautioned lawmakers not to disrupt what’s working.” He pointed out that “single-gender is a relatively inexpensive choice to offer, compared to others, but it does require an adequate number of teachers, and some training costs.”

The Anderson (SC) Independent Mail (12/1, Carey) quotes Rex as saying, “We’ve said all along that when it comes to learning, one size does not fit all.